A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Volterra vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Volterra or Pompeii?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Volterra or Pompeii? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Volterra

Volterra is a charming, medieval, and cultural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. It's also known for museums.

Volterra and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volterra or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pompeii than Volterra, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pompeii is better known for its museums, while Volterra is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than Volterra and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Also, Pompeii is famous for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Volterra is well known for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Volterra different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pompeii and Volterra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Volterra or Pompeii?

Pompeii is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Pompeii that are not to be missed. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Many visitors head to Volterra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

Is the Food Better in Volterra or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volterra is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Volterra has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Volterra or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Volterra is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Volterra. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Volterra or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Volterra is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volterra or Pompeii?

Volterra is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Volterra has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Volterra or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Volterra offers lots of family activities. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

Is Volterra or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Volterra is renowned for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Volterra has plenty to offer. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Volterra or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volterra and Pompeii are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Volterra. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

Pompeii is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Volterra or Pompeii Better for Students?

Pompeii is a popular place for students. However, Volterra is not popular with students.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Volterra is not popular with students.

Is Volterra or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pompeii is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Volterra or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Volterra and Pompeii both are world-class when exploring on foot.

Getting around Volterra on foot is easy. Most people explore the town on foot.

Pompeii is a very easy town to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Volterra Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Volterra?

How long in Volterra or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Volterra or Pompeii to fill your time. In our opinion, Volterra has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Volterra than Pompeii. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Pompeii than Volterra. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pompeii, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Volterra than Pompeii. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Volterra that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Volterra than Pompeii if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Volterra.

One day in Volterra or Pompeii?

Volterra is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Volterra or Pompeii?

Volterra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volterra has to offer.

Pompeii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pompeii, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Volterra or Pompeii?

Volterra is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Volterra or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Volterra. Since Volterra is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volterra and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii is more expensive. And not only is Volterra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volterra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volterra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii than you might in Volterra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Volterra Expensive? and Is Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Volterra or Pompeii?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Volterra or Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Pompeii. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Volterra is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 23°C (74°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volterra this time of the year. In the summer, Volterra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. Volterra gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets less rain in July than Pompeii. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Volterra is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Volterra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during autumn. Volterra gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. It's quite rainy in Volterra. In October, Volterra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pompeii. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volterra or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Volterra during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.

In the winter, Volterra is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Volterra in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Volterra often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Volterra gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Volterra usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Pompeii. Most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Volterra is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 13°C (55°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Volterra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during spring. Volterra gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Volterra usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Volterra